2025 Ram 1500 Quad Cab

The ever-interesting world of pickups takes another exciting turn. The Ram 1500 is updated this year, bringing more luxury and more technology. Ram is offering a whole raft of assistance features that includes partial self-driving.

As well as all the new stuff, we must bid a (possibly) tearful farewell to that classic combination of Ram truck and V8 engine, as the pursuit of greater fuel efficiency moves the game away from conspicuous gasoline consumption. Yet the things that have always made the Ram 1500 special remain, especially the comfortable ride quality — one attribute that gets mentioned a lot in our owner reviews.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size trucks, including the Ram 1500.

This generation of Ram 1500 debuted for 2019, so the time has come for a mid-generation revamp. A new and luxurious Tungsten trim level comes in at the top of the lineup. There are some styling revisions inside and out, plus updated technology, while changes under the hood bring new engines. The new Ram 1500 RHO becomes the most extreme off-road specialist of the lineup, though a TRX could possibly return.

This model year also sees the debut of the Ramcharger plug-in hybrid and the all-electric Ram 1500 REV truck, both of which we review separately

To compare, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 begin in the high 30s, with the Toyota Tundra and GMC Sierra 1500 a bit above that. The Ramcharger plug-in hybrid is expected to start at around $60K.

Before buying a new Ram 1500 truck, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. On the resale value tables, the Ram 1500 comes in below the rest of this pack. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The base engine in the 2025 Ram 1500 half-ton truck is a V6 developing a useful 305 horsepower. For buyers with less extreme requirements, we think this is fine. To compare, the Ford F-150’s base engine has 325 horsepower. The Ram 1500’s new turbocharged 6-cylinder engine makes a beefy 420 horsepower, more than the V8 it replaces.

Comfortable seats, quiet cabins, and a generally confident driving experience combine to keep the 2025 Ram 1500 as one of the more civilized choices we’ve encountered in the full-size pickup class. The standard coil spring rear suspension is so much more refined than the leaf springs found in other trucks and horse-drawn buggies. The Ram 1500 even has an adaptive air suspension available with higher trims.

Payload and Towing

The Ram 1500’s best payload capacity is 2,370 pounds. The maximum towing figure drops from 12,750 pounds to 11,570. This will change when the 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger plug-in hybrid comes along because the company says it can haul 2,625 pounds and pull 14,000 pounds.

For context, the Ford F-150’s top payload figure is 2,455 pounds, and its towing ability is 13,500 pounds. The Chevy Silverado 1500’s tow rating is 200 pounds shy of the F-150.

Fuel Economy

The popular combination of base engine and 4-wheel drive comes to 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Swap in the optional turbocharged 6-cylinder and we’re looking at 19 mpg combined, which is still a couple of miles per gallon better than the erstwhile former V8. The rear-drive-only Tradesman HFE (high fuel efficiency) achieves 23 mpg combined, with most other rear-drive variants a point or two behind. The Silverado 1500 and F-150 are in the same general ballpark.

Quad Cab or Crew Cab, those are the only choices. Both have seating for up to six (three per row) but the Crew Cab brings almost 10 inches more rear legroom, at an expansive 45.2 inches (almost 2 inches more than the F-150 SuperCrew). Either way, in-cabin storage is plentiful, with a huge bin in the center console, plus more space under the folding rear seats.

As is the way with pickups, the cheapest Tradesman version is really basic, while pricier top trims like the Limited are essentially luxury vehicles inside with real wood and leather. Depending on the model, new additions include laser-etched decorations, carbon fiber or metal accents, and fresh color schemes.

The infotainment systems are user-friendly, with the capability for over-the-air updates. Touchscreen sizes grow this year — a 12-inch version is standard, with a 14.5-inch unit available in higher trims. A 10.25-inch screen is offered for the front passenger. And the 2025 Ram 1500 can even come with dual wireless phone charging.

In general, the revised 2025 Ram 1500 still looks every inch a full-size truck, although the grille (a different treatment for each variant) and front end have cleaner lines, and come across — to our eyes — as more modern. Notice how the Ram lettering has moved from the center of the grille to slightly higher up, which has the interesting effect of making the truck seem even more imposing. On the RHO, these letters are designed so air can pass through them to help keep the powerful engine cool. LED headlights come in at the Limited trim level, and Ram also offers steering-responsive front lighting. The taillights gain a jeweled look.

Bed time. The Quad Cab comes solely with a cargo bed 76 inches long. The Crew Cab can be paired with either that or a shorter, 67-inch bed. The longer bed/Crew Cab combo isn’t available with the HFE, Rebel, or RHO.

These beds also have lockable compartments on either side. Naturally, a spray-in bed liner is among the options, along with adjustable tie-down hooks and a deployable bed step.

Multifunction tailgate
This optional feature can flip down like a regular tailgate or open out like a pair of barn doors, albeit asymmetrically with a 60/40 split.

Digital driver information display
A 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster is offered in the 2025 Ram 1500. It can be configured to show various types of information and have the settings saved to dedicated user profiles.

Trailer Reverse Steering Control
As well as steering a trailer in the desired direction, this optional feature can help the driver reverse a trailer in a straight line.

Park Sense Active Park Assist
While the driver controls the throttle, brakes, and gear selection, this optional self-parking system takes care of the steering. It works for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

Klipsch audio
A new name in automotive sound but well-known among home audio aficionados, this Klipsch 23-speaker/1,228-watt setup is standard in the new range-topping Tungsten model. According to Ram, it’s the most powerful factory sound system available in a truck.

RHO
This new off-roading Ram comes with a specialist Bilstein suspension, 40% more suspension travel than a regular Ram 1500, a mighty 540 horsepower (standstill to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds), bespoke exhaust system, 11.8 inches of ground clearance, 35-inch all-terrain tires, a Baja driving mode for desert racing, and a maximum towing ability of 8,380 pounds. It also includes a lot of the new tech and convenience features offered in the revised Ram 1500 lineup.

Last year was the end of an era for V8-powered Ram half-ton trucks; this year marks the start of a new one. The 2025 Ram 1500 lineup includes a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter engine with six cylinders arranged in a line (as opposed to the more common V formation). This bodes well for smoothness. The regular version makes 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the outgoing 5.7-liter V8. The High Output iteration generates 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque.

The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6, stalwart of the Ram/Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler family and regarded highly. Output here is 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. It has a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to smooth out the fuel-saving stop/restart function and help the engine attain its peak output with optimum efficiency.

These three engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard in the lower trims, with 4-wheel drive available either as an option or as a standard feature in higher trims.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Ram’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all typical for the class. Some manufacturers also offer free scheduled maintenance, however.

Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) made this generation of Ram 1500 a Top Safety Pick, its second-highest accolade. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave crew cab variants of this truck an overall score of five out of a possible five stars.